Its rather intriguing why another Cartosat-2 series satellite was added later to the plan. Considering that the satellite is named 2ER and not 2F I wonder whether one of the earlier satellites met with an as yet undisclosed failure, or that they felt a need for an additional satellite in the fleet.

Its rather intriguing why another Cartosat-2 series satellite was added later to the plan. Considering that the satellite is named 2ER and not 2F I wonder whether one of the earlier satellites met with an as yet undisclosed failure, or that they felt a need for an additional satellite in the fleet.

I totally agree. Why not move on directly to Cartosat 3? I mean, according to Gunter's Space Page, Cartosat 3 has a 16-kilometer swath in both panchromatic and multispectral modes (respective resolutions are 0.25 meters and 1 meter) while Cartosat 2 has a 10-kilometer swath with a 1-meter spatial resolution.

Where does it say that this satellite is Cartosat-2ER? The article says

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"We plan to launch Cartosat-2 series satellite 3 mission, which is a follow-on mission in the Cartosat-2 series with the primary objective of providing high-resolution scene specific spot imagery, in mid-December," the official said.

There were three previous Cartosat-2 Series missions (Cartosat 2C, 2D and 2E), so I'm not sure why this one is called Satellite 3.

Logged

Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1: Engineering is done with numbers. Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Where does it say that this satellite is Cartosat-2ER? The article says

Quote

"We plan to launch Cartosat-2 series satellite 3 mission, which is a follow-on mission in the Cartosat-2 series with the primary objective of providing high-resolution scene specific spot imagery, in mid-December," the official said.

There were three previous Cartosat-2 Series missions (Cartosat 2C, 2D and 2E), so I'm not sure why this one is called Satellite 3.

It was said in the speech of an ISRO official this year. Cartosat-2ER would be flying the manufactured ground spare. Given previous Satellite/instrument failures on other ISRO programmes R typically means replacement. References: INSAT-4CR and INSAT 3DR.

Where does it say that this satellite is Cartosat-2ER? The article says

Quote

"We plan to launch Cartosat-2 series satellite 3 mission, which is a follow-on mission in the Cartosat-2 series with the primary objective of providing high-resolution scene specific spot imagery, in mid-December," the official said.

There were three previous Cartosat-2 Series missions (Cartosat 2C, 2D and 2E), so I'm not sure why this one is called Satellite 3.

There is mention in the annual report and other budget documents that satellite 3 is an improved model? The last three have just been called Cartosat-2 series on the website; no number or letter? So when they say satellite 3, is it not number 3 but another of the same configuration?

"In the next launch, we have a Cartosat along with 28 international commercial satellites, which we will launch in the second half of December," said S. Rakesh, the Chairman and Managing Director of Antrix Corporation Ltd, the commercial arm of state-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

There will be 25 nanosatellites and three microsatellites from the US and other countries as co-passengers along the space firm's own satellite of the Cartosat-2 series, he said.

The satellites will be launched into the orbit onboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Rakesh added.

Telesat's Erwin Hudson: first LEO satellite launches November 28 on Soyuz. Second satellite scheduled for Dec. 30 (PSLV). Expecting to launch large batches in 2020, completing the constellation in 2021.

This news report implies that ISRO seems to be feeling the heat of pyrotechnic device malfunction leading to the failure of the ill-fated PSLV-C39 Launch. This sudden but unexpected mission failure of the satellite launch through PSLV seems to have put ISRO in a tizzy as Isro is in the mold of exercising double cautiousness. The failure analysis committee report not yet being released despite more than two and half months being passed appears to imply that ISRO has yet to ascertain the exact reasons of pyrotechnic device malfunction.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After the recent failure of PSLV-C39 on August 31 this year, Isro centres here including VSSC and LPSC are doubly cautious. They are focused on the next mission of PSLV-C40 to launch 31 satellites including Cartosat -2ER by December end this year.

Though PSLV-C40 was planned for launch in November end, it is now decided to launch by December end after a series of tests. "Preparations are on for the next mission of PSLV-C40 by next month end to launch 30 satellites at one go including the Cartosat-2ER satellite. It will be a robust launch," Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) director K Sivan had told TOI.

Quote

All precautions will be taken to prevent any anomalies, he said. In the previous PSLV launch, there was no design fault. The heat-shield at the top nozzle of the rocket failed to release the satellite into orbit and it could be due to a fault in pyro-techniques, he said.

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Normally the heat shield split into two halves at the conical nozzle opens up to release the satellite into the orbit, it failed to open 20 minutes after lift-off, the scientist explained. The heat shield is designed to absorb excessive heat produced by friction against atmosphere during take-off and to protect the components and fuel tanks of the rocket.

Quote

"The reason why it failed could be due to some hitch in the pyrotechnic material of the heat shield or probably failure of the springs to trigger the force against atmosphere to open the shield to eject the satellite out. The exact reasons are being ascertained by the 'Failure Analysis Committee of core scientists and the report will be released soon, said a lead scientist at VSSC.

While a VSSC scientist said, the failure analysis report is ready but it will be released only within the Isro centres. Based on its findings and recommendations all precautions will be taken to avert any failure, we are doubly cautious. A series of tests will be conducted before the next mission of PSLV-C40 slated for Dec end, he said.

Planet is excited to announce that four Dove satellites – our Flock 3p’ – are scheduled to fly on ISRO’s PSLV-C40 in early January 2018. The primary payload for this mission is a Cartosat-2 Series satellite; Planet’s four satellites will ride as secondary payloads.

This is the third time in the last 24 months that our Doves will hitch a ride from India on a PSLV rocket. In February 2017, 88 Doves (the largest satellite constellation to ever reach orbit!) traveled on ISRO’s recording-breaking launch of 104 satellites.

These particular Dove satellites are unique. They are tech demos responsible for testing several of the satellite subsystems, including the camera technology, thermal control, and altitude determination & control system.

Our agile approach to aerospace means we’re always researching the latest technology and thinking about long-term market needs. We launch tech demo satellites several times a year to ensure we are using the most advanced technology. These advancements are then incorporated into future operational fleets.

Planet is excited to be back in India launching on the PSLV rocket. We will have more information on the flight of Flock 3p’ as the launch window nears. Follow us @planetlabs for updates!

Spaceflight performed the cubesat integration at its Seattle Integration Facility and is in the process of shipping the spacecraft to India for the PSLV-C40 mission. The PSLV rocket is scheduled to lift off from India’s Satish Dhawan Space Center in early January 2018 with the Cartosat-2ER navigation satellite, in addition to Spaceflight’s rideshare customers.

“PSLV-C40 is a perfect example of how our flexible, full-service rideshare model is enabling new commercial space businesses to exist while expanding into new markets,” said Curt Blake, president of Spaceflight. “This mission brings new customers from outside the industry into space while continuing partnerships with existing customers for their ongoing satellite constellations.”

One first-time customer on the mission is Finland’s ICEYE with the country’s first commercial satellite, ICEYE-X1. ICEYE developed its own synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) sensor technologies suitable for satellites under 100kg in weight, making it one of the bigger payloads on the PSLV-C40 mission. This is ICEYE’s first proof-of-concept microsatellite mission with a SAR sensor as its payload and also the world’s first SAR satellite in this size, enabling radar imaging of the Earth through clouds and even in total darkness. Potential use-cases for the data are monitoring sea ice movements or marine oil spills, and prevention of illegal fishing.

“Working together with Spaceflight to schedule and make this launch a reality has been an outstanding experience for ICEYE, and it has given us the necessary opportunities for scaling up operations for our constellation of micro-SAR satellites as planned,” said Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder at ICEYE.

Spaceflight offers customers the most options for getting to space, working with nearly every global launch vehicle provider, including the Falcon 9, PSLV, Antares, Cygnus, Electron, Soyuz and others. Much like buying an airline ticket that is valid on multiple airlines, Spaceflight can ensure organizations have flexibility to move vehicles if changes or delays occur. Additionally, the smallsat rideshare service model helps organizations reach a desired orbit at a much lower cost than buying their own launch vehicle.

Spaceflight has negotiated the launch of more than 120 satellites on behalf of its customers and has contracts to deploy nearly 200 more through 2018. The company plans to coordinate and deploy its largest launch to date in 2018 with its first dedicated rideshare mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9.

About Spaceflight

Spaceflight is revolutionizing the business of spaceflight by delivering a new model for accessing space. A comprehensive launch services and mission management provider, the company provides a straightforward and cost-effective suite of products and services including state-of-the-art satellite infrastructure and rideshare launch offerings that enable commercial and government entities to achieve their mission goals on time and on budget. A service offering of Spaceflight Industries in Seattle, Washington, Spaceflight provides its services through a global network of partners, ground stations and launch vehicle providers. For more information, visit http://www.spaceflight.com.